A high court review application brought by a local property trust could result in the closure of a coastal care home for children with severe disabilities and complex medical needs near Kwelera.
The iThemba Home, run by Dr Ranjana Gigi and her husband Sibusiso, under the Swiss Board of Aid nonprofit, provides residential care for children with disabilities, many who require ongoing medical treatment, including palliative and specialised nursing care.
In April, Gigi was named winner of the 11th Inspiration Awards for her service, compassion and innovation.
Dr Ranjana Gigi, founder of the Swiss Board of Aid and the driving force behind iThemba Home for vulnerable children, has been named as the winner of the 11th annual Inspiration Awards.
The awards were held at the Christian Centre Abbotsford on Friday.
Held under the theme “We are all changemakers”, the event honoured four individuals for making a tangible difference in their communities through service, compassion and innovation.
Gigi, who founded the Swiss Board of Aid in 2012 at the age of 19, initially focused on providing medical equipment to under-resourced public hospitals.
Her work later expanded into specialised childcare, leading to the creation of iThemba Home near Glengariff — a facility for abused and abandoned children with complex medical needs.
“We started by supporting hospitals, but our heart has always been with children,” Gigi said.
“Over time, more and more children with special needs needed a place to go, and we realised we had to do more.”
She said the idea for iThemba Home took shape during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the first building opening in 2024.
We want to build more space so we can take in more children who need this level of care
The home now provides round-the-clock care for children who require oxygen, feeding tubes and daily medical attention.
“There are so many children who cannot stay in hospital forever but still need constant care,” she said.
“We wanted to create a place where they can be looked after properly, in a peaceful environment where they can heal.”
Gigi described winning the award as overwhelming and encouraging.
“I’m happy, but it hasn’t fully sunk in yet,” she said.
“This support will help us grow, because we are already full and there are still more children who need help.”
She said she would use the prize money to help expand the facility.
“We want to build more space so we can take in more children who need this level of care.”
Another finalist who earned recognition for her contribution was Daily Dispatch Local Hero Myrtle Fleming, 85, who has spent more than 30 years supporting parents who have lost children.
Her work began after the sudden death of her 21-year-old son in 1990.
Since then, she has supported grieving families through the Compassionate Friends organisation, offering home visits, phone support and group sessions.
Gavin Cox was recognised for empowering young men through agriculture.
Through his initiative Hope Agri, he mentors unemployed youths, helping them to build small-scale farming businesses.
The programme equips participants with both farming and business skills, enabling many to become financially independent within two years.
Professional boxer Sandra Almeida was honoured for her work through Fighting Concepts.
A two-division South African champion, Almeida offers self-defence and confidence-building training for women.
She also works with autistic pupils at College Street School, using boxing to help improve focus, co-ordination and emotional control.
Inspiration Awards director Caron de Coriolis said the event began in 2012 as a small initiative by a group of people who wanted to highlight positive stories during challenging times.
“It began as a simple gathering over breakfast, just to share good news when there was so much negativity,” she said.
“Over the years, it has grown into something much bigger, with more support from businesses and the community.”
The awards were revived and formalised in 2022 as a registered nonprofit organisation to better support community initiatives and connect changemakers with businesses.
“The idea is to give these changemakers a platform and link them with businesses that can support their work,” De Coriolis said.
“Not everyone has the resources or structure to access funding, but through this platform we can help.”
She said all the finalists benefited from sponsorship funds, while the overall winner received additional support raised through ticket sales.
“These are people who see a need and choose to act,” she said.
“They remind us that anyone can make a difference.”
Click here to join the Daily Dispatch’s WhatsApp channel and get the latest news delivered straight to your phone
Daily Dispatch
She has also been nominated for a Dispatch Local Hero award.
The Yellow Sands Property Trust has asked the Makhanda high court to overturn municipal planning decisions that enabled the establishment and continued operation of iThemba Home on Portion 21 of Farm 724, a nine-hectare coastal property overlooking the Indian Ocean.
If successful, the application would set aside the rezoning of the property from agricultural to institutional use, which would prevent the facility from operating on the site and potentially leave six children currently in full-time care without a permanent home.
The trust, represented by trustees Jason Leppan, Aiden Leppan, Fay Watson and David Leppan, is challenging decisions taken by the Great Kei municipality over four years, culminating in a September 2025 approval of the rezoning application.
At the centre of the dispute is whether the municipality lawfully approved institutional zoning on land the trust argues remains agricultural in nature and whether the infrastructure is adequate to support it.
In its founding affidavit, trustee Jason Leppan argues that the approval process was procedurally flawed and the property was not suitable for institutional use.
He states that direct access was only possible via a private gravel servitude road.
“A narrow unpaved track which is travelled along to access Portion 21.”
He argues that the road is maintained by surrounding landowners and receives no maintenance from the municipality or state, raising concerns about its suitability.
The trust contends that directing institutional traffic onto a privately maintained farm road is unsustainable and legally defective, and is asking the high court to declare that the property remains zoned agricultural, which would effectively prevent the continued operation of the home on the site.
Initial consent use was granted following an application and public participation process, but that decision was later appealed.
The matter was then escalated through municipal appeal structures, resulting in the consent-use approval being revoked and the application being referred back to the Municipal Planning Tribunal.
The tribunal approved the rezoning in September 2025. An internal appeal lodged by the Yellow Sands Property Trust was dismissed by the Municipal Appeal Tribunal in February, prompting the current review application.
Di Lehy, founder of Greensleeves Children’s Trust, who has dedicated three decades to caring for abandoned, abused and orphaned children, described the work being done by Gigi and Sibusiso as “incredible”.
She said caring for children with disabilities had been particularly challenging.
“What a blessing we have — a qualified doctor from Switzerland giving up her time to take care of these children.
“These children will not cause any damage to their neighbours.
“When Guardians of Hope was in Nahoon, there were complaints that they should close because people did not want orphans ‘running in the streets’.”
Lehy said she was grateful for having supportive neighbours.
“They are all part of what we do. In fact, three of our board members are our neighbours.
“That’s why I cannot understand this situation.
“They [Gigi and Sibusiso] have amazing facilities and they are incredible people.
“I am disappointed to hear Yellow Sands is causing trouble for them because they are doing an incredible job.”
Lehy warned that if the home was forced to close, the children in its care would have nowhere else to go.
“We need more facilities like the ones we are running,” she said.
Gigi said the organisation followed all required steps, including extended public participation processes and additional advertising requirements.
“We followed every procedure in the book,” she said.
“In 2021, we submitted our application and it went before the tribunal.
“They requested additional public participation and extended advertising. We advertised in the Daily Dispatch.”
She said there were initially no objections, with opposition emerging later, primarily from Yellow Sands, which she said was not their immediate neighbour.
“There is a property between us and them,” she said.
Gigi said a survey confirmed that the access route to the property was a public road, despite its condition and maintenance.
iThemba cares for children with complex medical needs and employs 13 vetted staff members, who Gigi said undergo police clearance checks, sex offender screening and background verification.
She said the facility was designed to operate off-grid to ensure continuity of care for children requiring constant medical attention.
“We built the first building in 2024 completely off-grid to ensure all medical care can be provided safely and without interruptions,” she said.
Gigi believed concerns raised within the surrounding community had largely centred on fears that the facility could increase crime in the area, which she rejected.
“We have children with disabilities and only one child can walk.”
She said staff members were transported to the facility via a service provider, with strict controls over access.
“Drivers do not simply arrive at the farm unannounced,” she said.
“The farm is completely fenced and CCTV monitored to keep the children safe.”
Sibusiso said the location was chosen for its calm and therapeutic environment, which he said was important for children who had experienced trauma.
“We wanted to create an environment where they could heal, feel safe and enjoy a better quality of life.”
He said the children had limited alternative options, given the severity of their conditions and circumstances.
When approached for comment, Jason Leppan declined to discuss the matter in detail, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
“As the matter is presently before the high court, I have been advised not to comment directly at this stage,” he said, referring inquiries to his attorney.
The Great Kei municipality did not respond to questions sent.
Click here to join the Daily Dispatch’s WhatsApp channel and get the latest news delivered straight to your phone
On a smallholding near Glengariff on the East Coast, six children with severe disabilities and complex medical needs are growing up in a home built around care, dignity and hope.
iThemba Home, founded by Dr Gigi Ranjana, whose work with vulnerable children began more than a decade ago, has grown into a specialised place of safety for children who cannot remain in hospital but still require round-the-clock care.
Set among open fields and quiet natural surroundings, the home provides specialised support for children with severe autism, physical and intellectual disabilities, palliative care needs and serious medical conditions requiring oxygen support, feeding tubes, daily medication and constant monitoring.
“There are many children who cannot stay in hospital forever, but they still need a high level of care at home,” Ranjana said.
“That’s where we come in.”
Her journey began in 2012, when she founded the Swiss Board of Aid, which focused on supporting hospitals with medical supplies.
At the same time, she volunteered at Adelaide Hospital, where her passion for working with children deepened.
“My heart has always been with children,” she said.
Her work took a more personal turn in 2016 when she began caring for a child with a disability.
“We started with one child, and along the way we adopted her,” Ranjana said.
“Then more children came into our home; some with special needs and some without.
“That’s when we realised we could really make a difference in caring for children with special needs.”
As word spread, social workers increasingly approached Ranjana seeking placement for children requiring specialised care.
Recognising the growing need, she began working towards creating a dedicated home.
The idea for iThemba Home took shape during the Covid-19 pandemic after Ranjana gained access to a smallholding near Glengariff.
Years of planning and preparation followed before the first building was completed, with children moving in during 2024.
“It’s a beautiful, calm space where children can heal and enjoy nature, and that’s very important for their wellbeing,” she said.
Today, iThemba cares for six children aged from six months to seven years old.
The home operates with a team of carers and support staff, while volunteers regularly spend time with the children and assist with activities.
Ranjana said the need for specialised care was overwhelming.
“We are forever full, and there are more children out there who need us, especially those with complex medical conditions,” she said.
Despite the emotional and physical demands of the work, she continues balancing her responsibilities as a doctor with life at the home, where she lives alongside the children.
“There are long-term plans for the next 10 to 15 years, but it all depends on funding,” Ranjana said.
“Right now, our priority is to build more space so we can help more children.”
Recognition for the initiative in recent months has brought encouragement, but also highlighted the scale of the need facing vulnerable children requiring specialised care placements.
Frere Hospital dietitian Amy-Lee Oberem, who works closely with Ranjana and nominated her for this year’s Daily Dispatch Local Heroes Awards, said Ranjana’s commitment extended far beyond medical treatment.
“She provides compassionate, holistic support and consistently advocates for each child’s physical, emotional and developmental wellbeing,” Oberem said.
“Her dedication is evident in the way she invests time, energy and genuine care into every child she works with.”
Oberem said Ranjana created a nurturing environment for both the children and the staff involved in their care.
“She consistently goes above and beyond what is expected of her, serving with humility, compassion and excellence,” she said.
“Her work not only improves the health and wellbeing of the children but also brings hope, dignity and encouragement to those around her.”
Linda van Heerden, who met Ranjana through the Border-Kei Chamber of Business Good Deeds Development Programme in 2023, said the project stood out because of the standard of care being provided.
“You can tell she’s not prepared to compromise on her vision,” Van Heerden said.
“She wants these children to receive the best possible care, even though it’s a children’s home and a nonprofit organisation.”
Van Heerden also praised the organisation’s focus on community upliftment through local employment and training opportunities.
“She does things properly, and you don’t always find that in the NPO world,” she said.
“The fact that they take local unemployed staff and train them rather than taking trained people from somewhere else is incredible.
“She’s creating opportunities while also changing the lives of these children.”
Click here to join the Daily Dispatch’s WhatsApp channel and get the latest news delivered straight to your phone
Daily Dispatch
